Seeking information about a Beefeater!

[GuyMassey]

My wife's 2x Great Grandfather was a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London between 1859 and 1863 and his regiment is listed as 12DG in " The Alphabetical List of Yeoman Warders." Unfortunately, we have very little information to go on. His name was William Jordan and he had a daughter called Maria Ann who was born in about 1842. She married John Howell Gale who was a Head teacher on 22 Jan 1862 they and had nine children.

We can't find Williams wife or parents, or anything to do with his service record. We also have no dates for him. Also, what was 12DG?

Can any of the experts on here please help?

Our fingers are well and truly crossed.

[ShaunJ]

Per the 1861 census of the Tower of London he was then aged 49 and born Weymouth. Wife Maria aged 44 born Portsmouth. They had a daughter Martha with them aged 10, born Ireland.

"12DG" is presumably 12th Dragoon Guards.

[GrahamSimons]

As far as I can see that book is quite recent (2002) and protected by copyright. Google snippet view (2009) does help a bit though:
JORDAN, William, Troop Serjeant Major 12th (The Prince of Wales's) Royal Lancers. Born in Plymouth, Dorset (sic) c 1812..... His name does not appear on the roll for the South Africa Medal.....
The remainder is outside the snippet.
Useful history of the regiment in Wikipedia.
This might just help.... https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/british-army-soldiers-up-to-1913/

[ShaunJ]

This must be his army discharge file. Troop Sergeant Major, 408, 12th Lancers. Born Dorchester.

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F1289%2F177%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F1289%2F720935

[GuyMassey]

Per the 1861 census of the Tower of London he was then aged 49 and born Weymouth. Wife Maria aged 44 born Portsmouth. They had a daughter Martha with them aged 10, born Ireland.

"12DG" is presumably 12th Dragoon Guards.

Hi Shaun, thank you for this. I couldn't find a census for The Tower of London on Ancestry. I must have been doing something wrong. Can you let me have a link please? I am a subscriber.

[GuyMassey]

Oh wow! Thank you everyone, every snippet helps! Why was his regiment referred to as 12DG if he was with the Lancers? Are they the same?

[ShaunJ]

1861 census Ancestry link as requested: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/8767/images/MDXRG9_272_276-0934

[ShaunJ]

Why was his regiment referred to as 12DG if he was with the Lancers? Are they the same?

Yes. See https://wiki.fibis.org/w/12th_(Prince_of_Wales%27s_Royal)_Lancers

[tonepad]

Regimental Museum search for William Jordan:

https://royallancersmuseum.co.uk/search/entities?q=william+jordan&attributeset=&action=search


Tony